The possibility of a Spaniard playing for England took a step forward last night when the Everton playmaker Mikel Arteta said he would seriously consider playing for England if asked.

"I don't know what [Fabio Capello's] thoughts are," Arteta told the BBC. "If one day the opportunity comes, obviously I would have to consider it very seriously."

The 28-year-old former Rangers player has been linked to a call-up since he gained British citizenship earlier this year. Arteta has never played at full international level for his native Spain, who have a plethora of fine midfielders including Andrés Iniesta, Xavi and Cesc Fábregas already in their European Championship – and World Cup-winning squad.

Arteta has been resident in England since joining Everton from Real Sociedad in 2005.

The England coach was in the stands at Goodison Park to see Arteta play in the 1-1 draw with Wolves, during which the midfielder showed sparks of the creativity that has made him so important to David Moyes's side.

When asked about the possibility of England selection, Arteta replied: "I know some people have been talking about it, but I haven't said anything yet because the offer is not there at the moment."

The Everton website said any definitive switch by their creative player would have to be ratified by Fifa. The Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, said recently he would "love" Arteta to come into the national squad.

Arteta is not the only native Spaniard in the Premier League who is open to the chance of a call-up to Capello's squad. Arsenal's goalkeeper Manuel Almunia revealed he had not ruled out the possibility of representing England, where he has been a resident since joining the London club from Celta Vigo in 2004.

Almunia and Arteta face a tough task breaking into the Spain squad. Almunia faces competition from the Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas and Liverpool's José Reina, while Arteta would need to battle his way into probably the strongest midfield in world football, in which even the Arsenal captain, Fábregas, does not figure regularly. Since being sidelined between February 2009 and February 2010 with a cruciate ligament injury, Arteta has returned to the Everton side and excelled in Moyes's midfield.